Ruth Loveland
Norman,IN
Summary
Seeking a full-time position that presents creative challenges and allows utilization of artistic abilities, interpersonal skills, excellent time management, and problem-solving skills. As the first Display Coordinator when the Oklahoma City store initially opened, I continue to cherish the valuable lessons and experience gained in that role.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
Work History
Technical Services Clerk
Pioneer Library System
05.2023 - Current
- Corrected and updated spine labels and other methods of identifying and differentiating collections from a constant flow of new library materials.
- Innovated personal best practices within processing department.
- Upheld a streamlined technical support process for improved customer experience and reduced wait times for high demand items.
- Managed multiple priorities effectively, ensuring timely completion of tasks with minimal supervision.
- Utilized computer databases to locate library materials.
- Implemented a system for tracking inventory levels of supplies, reducing instances of stock shortages or overages in the Technical Services department.
Working Artist
Self
05.2005 - Current
- Created paintings, sculptures and illustrations for variety of exhibitions and special projects.
- Designed custom artwork for various corporate and private clients, meeting their creative vision and ensuring satisfaction with the final product.
- Utilized social media platforms proactively to promote personal brand awareness while engaging with potential clients or collaborators regularly.
- Sold original art pieces through online platforms, gallery exhibitions, and direct customer interactions, generating consistent revenue streams while maintaining an active artist presence within the community.
- Developed unique art pieces that garnered positive attention from critics and collectors, leading to increased sales and commissions.
- Streamlined art creation process, adopting digital tools for sketching and preliminary designs.
- Pioneered a physical gallery space, allowing art enthusiasts to view and purchase works of my own and others.
- Curated successful art shows, selecting and arranging pieces that spoke to diverse themes and audiences.
- Successfully balanced multiple commissioned projects, delivering high-quality work within tight deadlines.
- Experimented with variety of styles and techniques to produce unique works of art.
- Used oil and acrylic paints, watercolors and natural materials to create art pieces.
- Produced sketches and drafts to refine artwork before completion.
- Designed and executed original artwork for various private and corporate clients.
- Coordinated with art galleries to arrange display and sale of artwork.
- Built and maintained working relationships with galleries and other art venues.
- Contributed work to be published in various print media.
- Assisted other artists with large scale mural work.
Book Seller
Literati Press
01.2021 - 05.2023
- Opened and closed store
- Provided Customer service, recommendations, processed transactions.
- Demonstrated and cultivated knowledge of inventory.
- Worked well in a team setting, providing support and guidance.
- Assisted customers in locating desired titles, resulting in repeat business and positive feedback.
- Established strong relationships with customers to encourage repeat business.
- Restocked shelves and kept store displays attractive and organized to drive sales.
Assistant to the Director
Sixtwelve
01.2018 - 01.2021
- Collaborated with director and team members for planning and execution of children’s programming, adult workshops, fundraisers, summer camps, special events and pre-K programming.
- Contributed to the development of new departmental policies by participating in brainstorming sessions and providing insightful suggestions.
- Provided exceptional administrative support to the Director during high-profile events while upholding a professional image for the organization.
- Collaborated with the Director on strategic planning efforts, providing valuable input that contributed to the overall success of departmental goals.
- Maintained strict confidentiality when handling sensitive information pertaining to company operations or personnel matters.
- Facilitated communication between the Director and staff members to ensure smooth operation of departmental activities.
- Implemented file management systems that streamlined access to important documents while also protecting classified information from unauthorized users.
- Filed paperwork and organized computer-based information.
- Updated and maintained confidential databases and records.
- Assisted director with personal errands and tasks.
- Worked in the gardens, chicken coop, and outdoor classroom with children and other staff.
- Learned the Montessori philosophy in practice while assisting the early childhood program
- Co-taught summer camps for various aged children.
- Took notes and dictation at meetings.
- Volunteered to help with special projects of varying degrees of complexity.
Display Coordinator
Anthropologie
01.2012 - 01.2016
- Conceptualized, constructed and installed large and small-scale art installations and signage in a retail environment.
- Demonstrated knowledge and experience with the manipulation of various materials through the use of tools and basic construction techniques such as sewing, painting, dyeing applying surface treatments.
- Built on a familiarity with power tools, working on a ladder, and mastery of basic design principles.
- Managed and communicated daily, weekly, monthly, objectives to supervisor and team.
- Coordinated and delegated tasks to visual support staff
- Documented projects via digital presentations, for feedback and sharing.
- Participated in store, district, region, and company forums.
- Controlled, reported, and coded monthly display budget.
- Collaborated with store management to develop impactful window displays for seasonal promotions.
- Incorporated brand guidelines into all display designs, reinforcing company identity and messaging throughout the store environment.
- Designed and executed compelling visual layouts for special events and workshops.
- Conducted ongoing evaluations of current displays, making adjustments as needed to optimize customer experience and sales performance.
- Managed project timelines effectively, ensuring timely completion of all assigned tasks related to display creation and maintenance.
- Showcased key product features through strategic placement within displays, driving customer interest and boosting sales conversions.
- Contributed to overall store success by consistently maintaining a visually appealing and welcoming environment for customers.
- Enhanced visual displays by incorporating innovative design concepts and materials.
- Inspired guests to discover solutions through compelling visual merchandising.
- Monitored and replenished display inventory and restructured according to available stock.
- Collaborated with store managers to determine best placement for merchandise displays.
- Created visual displays to highlight new and featured products.
- Created interior displays to promote products in alignment with corporate sales objectives.
Gallery Representative
Mainsite Contemporary Art
01.2005 - 01.2010
- Hosted weekday visitors as well as special event attendees, and facility rental patrons.
- Communicated with artists, patrons, and the press about current and upcoming exhibits, archives, and purchases.
- Processed financial transactions.
- Presented inventory work to customers and shared knowledge regarding the represented artists in order to drive sales.
- Assisted in curatorial duties, met with artists, reviewed submissions, accompanied director on studio visits.
- Utilized templates to layout print material on Photoshop.
- Assisted in the maintenance and installation of exhibits.
- Cultivated a knowledge of current art trends and the needs of the local arts community.
- Assisted director in various duties: paying bills, making deposits, writing artist payouts, organizing financial documents for accountant, and packing art work for shipping.
Education
BFA - Painting and Ceramics
The University of Oklahoma
01.2005
Skills
- Fine arts
- Retail
- Customer service
- Administrative assistance
- Word
- Excel
- Photoshop
- Procreate
- Teamwork and Collaboration
- Problem-Solving
- Attention to Detail
- Goal Setting
- Literary knowledge
- Display building
Personalwebsite
ruthloveland.com
References
- Amy Young, Director, SIXTWLEVE, amy@sixtwelve.org
- Margaret Kinkeade, Art colleague, Marge.kink@gmail.com
Additional Information
Selected Exhibitions
2023/ Art Now, Oklahoma Contemporary, OK
2022/ Celebrator, Magic Sad, Norman, OK
2021/ Workflow, White Board Art Space, OKC, OK
2020/ Parallels, Olsen Larsen Galleries, West DesMoines, IA
2020/ Summer Salon, Weinberger Fine Art, Kansas City, MO
2019/ Rock Paper Scissors, Resonator, Norman, OK
2018/ Satellite, Six Twelve Gallery at the Tower Theatre, OKC, OK
2017 / Defining Atmosphere, Weinberger Fine Art, Kansas City, MO
2016 / Ebb and Flow, Weinberger Fine Art, Kansas City, MO
2015 / New Work, DNA Galleries, Oklahoma City, OK
2014 / Art Now, Oklahoma Contemporary, Oklahoma City, OK
2013 / Summer Thieves, Odd Fab Design Lab, Oklahoma City, OK
2012 / Art Now, Oklahoma Contemporary, Oklahoma City, OK
2011 / New Work, DNA Galleries, Oklahoma City, OK
2010 / New Work, High Water Gallery, New Orleans, LA
2009/ Fever Island Expo, Loose Leaf Collective, Tulsa, OK
2008/ Love Mazes and Tendrils, Sea Cave, Chicago, IL
2008 / Curiously and Wonderfully Made, Medicine Park, Chicago, IL
Residencies
2022 / Jx Farms
“Jx farms pairs community ideals with the fine arts and well being. We believe inclusivity and experiential learning are key to being our best selves, as artists as well as individuals.”
2020 / Tallgrass Artist Residency: Flint Hills ,KS
“The Tallgrass Artist Residency seeks to create connection and conversation across the Great Plains through engagement with the prairie ecosystem.”
Gallery Representations
Weinberger Fine Art, Kansas City, MO
Collections
University of Kansas Cancer Center, Kansas City, MO
Cerner, Kansas City, MO
Publications
Flint Hills Field Journal Volume XVI/2024/Stewards of the Land
Flint Hills Field Journal Volume XII/2020/Stone
World Literature Today/ Winter 2020
Timeline
Technical Services Clerk
Pioneer Library System
05.2023 - Current
Book Seller
Literati Press
01.2021 - 05.2023
Assistant to the Director
Sixtwelve
01.2018 - 01.2021
Display Coordinator
Anthropologie
01.2012 - 01.2016
Working Artist
Self
05.2005 - Current
Gallery Representative
Mainsite Contemporary Art
01.2005 - 01.2010
BFA - Painting and Ceramics
The University of Oklahoma
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